The Hoopoe of Solomon

In the Quranic story, the prophet-king Solomon understood the language of birds. One day he noticed the hoopoe's absence. When it returned it brought major news: it had discovered the kingdom of Sheba ruled by a queen, and a people prostrating before the sun instead of God. This small bird opened the door to Solomon's meeting with the Queen of Sheba.

Solomon — whom God had given immense kingship and taught the language of birds — inspected his soldiers one day and did not find the hoopoe, reprimanding it severely and threatening harsh punishment if it had no clear excuse.

Then the hoopoe appeared. And it brought what Solomon did not have: 'I have encompassed what you have not encompassed and bring you from Sheba certain news.' It described a powerful queen with a great throne, and a people prostrating before the sun instead of God.

Solomon decided to verify: 'We shall see whether you have told the truth or are among the liars.' He sent it with a letter to deliver to these people then observe their reaction. Thus began, through a small bird, the famous meeting between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

This brief episode highlights a dimension of Solomon's story often overlooked: knowledge can come from the smallest. A small bird brought the world's most powerful king information he did not have. The Quran is concise on details; additions (the hoopoe's name, extended dialogues) come from later accounts, not the text. Solomon's method is also a lesson: despite the news he chose to verify first ('We shall see'). Do not believe accounts uncritically — verify them.

The hoopoe teaches that no one is too small to carry a great truth. And the greatest king of his age received a lesson from a bird. Solomon's method also teaches: despite the news he chose to verify first — a beautiful lesson in methodology.

Passant en revue les oiseaux, Salomon dit : « Pour quelle raison ne vois-je pas la huppe. Serait-elle absente ?

27:20

De retour après une courte absence, l'oiseau dit : « J'ai découvert des choses que tu ignores. Je t'apporte, du royaume de Saba, des informations sûres.

27:22